Preface to the Electronic Edition The Lennon Factor is the only book written about John Lennon while he was alive. At the time, it seemed obvious that there was something unique about him as a person that had shaped not only the identity of The Beatles, but the whole of American and world culture. It was more than the music. It was his persona. In reissuing the book in electronic form, I have made only minor editorial changes. The piece is a lighthearted but serious look at the impact he made on the world culturally. I believe it’s useful to remind ourselves and future generations that his influence on American society and history was revolutionary, apart from his extraordinary contribution to music. He was not only a primary driver of the youth rebellion of the sixties, and, thereby, all freedom movements that followed, but the embodiment of all those who hope for a better world, one we still can only imagine. Paul Young. Los Angeles, CA. 2010 “Shorter than Harry Potter.” “Funnier than The Lord of the Rings.” “Lots of white space.” “A must for John Lennon and Beatles fans.” “And all rebels.”